Deutsche Welle: Professor Kallo, you are currently conducting research into planes powered by batteries rather than petroleum at the German Aerospace Center (DLR). When will we be able to travel in electric planes?
Josef Kallo: I would say in around 20 years. Electric flying makes the most sense for regional traveling — that is, for distances from 250 kilometers (155 miles) to a maximum of 2,000 kilometers (1,200 miles), since the range of battery-powered planes is only 60 percent of petroleum-powered ones.
We are already building prototypes, but will continue to further develop and certify models in the next 10 to 15 years. Electric flying is definitely possible from a technological viewpoint. Whether it will also be implemented, however, is a matter of investment.
We could create small hubs for “air buses” with 10 to 12 seats, up to maybe 40 seats. Since electric planes are very quiet and only need a relatively short runway to take off and land, these hubs could be built close to cities. Passengers could book their journey with an app and decide whether they prefer taking the train or air bus, or a combination of both.
In Germany, the e-planes could connect rural areas where public transport isn’t yet well-developed. In the state of Baden-Wuerttemberg, for example, you need three hours to get from Aalen to Freiburg by train. With an e-plane, this would take less than 45 minutes.
Related Posts
The bond between Taylor and Jason’s girls: Kylie Kylie CRIES After Shares Details of Luxurious Gifts Taylor Swift Gifted Her Daughter Bennie for 1st Her Birthday
Kylie Kelce, wife of NFL star Jason Kelce, recently took to social media to share the extravagant birthday gifts that her daughter Bennie received from none other…
® Let’s admire the planes with different designs and different beauties
In the vast realm of aviation, where human ingenuity takes flight, a captivating tapestry of planes awaits our admiration. Each aircraft, with its unique design and inherent…
® Get a preview of the future of air travel with the Sky Whale concept, offering a glimpse into the realm of sustainable luxury airliners.
Airliners are already getting bigger, greener, and more luxurious. But this futuristic concept airplane takes things to the limit and the interesting part is that it might…
® Let’s take a look at the oldest plane you’ve ever seen
Come, let us embark on a journey through time as we delve into the captivating world of aviation and set our sights on an aircraft that bears…
® This plane is exceptional, offering an experience that everyone should have the chance to try.
At the helm of our esteemed platform, we are privileged to have the incomparable talent of Witness Offset, who assumes the coveted role of Music Director. With…
® Label this extraordinary plane with any term you prefer, but acknowledge its status as a masterpiece.
When confronted with a truly exceptional aircraft that surpasses conventional boundaries, it becomes a challenge to encapsulate its greatness with a single term. However, one thing remains…